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Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs
Category: Beauty and Spas Day Spas Day Spas [Edit]
1002 Solano Ave(between Madison St & Adams St)
Albany, CA 94706
(510) 525-6262
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
$50 for $100 Deal
Sflady D. said: "What a fantastic place to spend the day! Went yesterday, Tuesday, mid-day so there were very few people, which is what I'd hoped for. Was greeted…" read more »
69 reviews for Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs
69 reviews in English
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Review from Robynn H.
Berkeley, CA
4/3/2012
Bottom Line!!! Outdoor hot tub, secluded area, quiet, and clean! If you people knew me, and saw me before then after the time at this place, you would've run into Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs to get you soak on.
$15????? CHEAP!!!! I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PLACE. Twice a month I will be there. I told the guy there how he and this place had blessed me. No more pain in the neck, hips, knees, nor feet. LOVING IT!!!! Can I buy stock? LOL -
Review from Margaret M.
Antelope, CA
4/29/2012
Too rude for words! And I have a few rude words for them !!! Awful customer service. Horrible horrible horrible!!!! Wish I could give negative stars. Go to piedmont spa in Oakland .
When I called to make an appointment I was told not to cancel as I had done previously. That previous time would have been in 2003. How could he have remembered that? It's not just what he said but how he said it. -
Review from Rachel W.
Oakland, CA
5/1/2012
Wow what an amazing place. If you are looking for a therapeutic place then this the spot. I think people have gotten accustomed to high scale spas and this place doesn't pretend to be that. It is a great place to relax rejuvenate with out all the pretentious of the bay area. Of course I would like it to be cheaper but I do feel it is worth it.
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Review from Frankchesa Q.
Sacramento, CA
8/14/2011
Picture this: a private hot tub bubbling with soothe and surrounded by a redwood deck. Slate walls, an open shower with lavender soap, low and romantic mood lighting, your choice of tea and a breathtaking view of a japanese garden, lush with bamboo.
Sound amazing? Yeah, this place is in Santa Cruz and it's called the Tea House Spa. If you're looking for serenity, a beautiful, clean place to relax and allow the jets to work their magic, you're not going to find it at Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs.
The spa is made out of clay and lined with wood benches. Visually, the clay looks like wadded up chewing gum and the benches are splintered and are uncomfortable to sit on. The wood deck looks like it's rotting and about to collapse with one heavy step. The overhead jet is overwhelming, the changing area is laden with hair and grime and the towels they give you are fraying at the edges.
I know that few will ever live up to my first and only experience in Santa Cruz but when I pay $40 to sit in a hot tub for 45 minutes, I expect a soft and relaxing environment-- certainly not something that looks and feels like it's laden with 30 years of hippie bacteria. -
Review from darby c.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2012
I have not rented a hot tub before. This worked out great!
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Review from Sarah J.
3/25/2011
I was a little hesitant because of the handful of reviews that complained about the cleanliness + smell but I decided to give it a go anyway. After all, I take BART every day and have you read the reports about what is crawling around on those seats?!
The guy who took my appt over the phone was helpful and polite so that was a good sign. I arrived a few minutes early and while waiting I did see an older man being very gruff on the phone. That must be the guy who the other reviewers warned me of~ thankfully the rest of the staff is nice.
Even though I was early for my appointment, I was escorted into my sauna and given a little more than my thirty minutes. The room was awesome. It did NOT smell like a funky gym at all and the lavender essential oil scented the air and helped me relax. The hot tub was equally enjoyable. I love that it's outdoors and yet super private. The showers in each service area are a great addition-- I found that as long as I kept my sandals on for most of the time, I felt confident about not catching anything funky.
The only things that stopped me from giving it 5 stars is that after my sauna portion, I was waiting in the dressing room for someone to escort me to the hot tub. I think they forgot about me because I was waiting for 10 minutes before someone knocked on my door and walked me out. Not a big deal, but when they tell you to be in the room in thirty minutes and you're ready, I expect them to be on time as well. The other thing is that there was some sediment at the bottom of my tub. I'm sure it was dirt or plant matter that landed in there (esp with the rainy weather these days) but it still made me pause and hope that it wasn't anything worse (like a used band-aid).
But still, I would definitely go back for another sauna/hot tub combo. The price is great and the staff is respectful and kind. -
Review from David F.
Albany, CA
11/28/2011
I've been coming here for years-for both the hot tubs & the massages. I love looking up at the sky (with no roof) while in the tubs-especially nice in a light rain. The water is perfect, and there is room for a few. The massages are fantastic- they pay attention to what you report is the problem. For example, my wife has low back problems, so she got a terrific massage while laying on her side. She felt great for weeks.
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Review from Ligaya T.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 3/29/2009
The days have become longer since the proverbial thaw, and tubbing is once again a popular past time. Most recently, we enjoyed a quiet night as a quartet and discovered several unpleasantries:
- the dressing rooms are quite cramped for four. Like Kimberly V says, if you're not into the whole polyamory thing, rubbing naked butts could be a little awk.
- the price per person stays fixed at $22 no matter how many people you fit in one tub (a little discount would be appreciated in principle)
- they don't provide any amenities, not even a pitcher of tap water
- the outside lights cannot be turned out preventing stargazing, robbing us of one of the most wonderful aspects of soaking outdoors
The rustic charm is much appreciated, Albany. But a little bit of care would go a long way.Listed in: Lazy Sundays, I Like It Hot
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/3/2008
Ideal place for a decompression session. The haggard turtle days when my neck has sunk into my… Read more »
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Review from kimberly v.
Berkeley, CA
10/14/2008 ROTD 10/3/2009
I'm often intrigued by the disparity between reviewers' perspectives on a place like this. Seems like folks love it or hate it. I've been coming here for about 30 years, I think, and I love its funky-folksy feel. Having lived through the 70's and 80's, when most hot tub places were just glorified motel rooms, and having worked at a fairly notorious one on University Avenue (which was in itself a grand education for a young lass, especially when it came to what we fished out of the tubs and cleaned off the sheets), I am to the point where I prefer a less sleazy vibe. This place and Piedmont Springs remain my go-to spots for a quick dip in the hot water.
I had gotten a friend a gift certificate a while back, and he was gracious enough to share it with me. I hadn't been in a while, and I was very impressed by how nicely we were served. They didn't have the combo sauna-tub area available at the time we were there, so offered us an extra half hour, beginning with sauna, giving us nice big sheets in which to wrap up like decadent Romans (oh wait, that's redundant), and carried our belongings from one room to the other.
I hadn't been in these particular rooms before, and loved the very Euro-vibe of the up-stairsteps sauna benches, and the string-pull cold shower once you were up there. There was also a regular shower, of course, in both rooms, and in the hot tub, you could press a button and get pummeled by water coming out of a big pipe just above the center. Great for those aching muscles. A serious place, less for canoodling than for therapy. Still, where there's a will...
If you are put off by things like a little peeling paint and patched redwood, this isn't the spot for you, but if you like it a little Euro/retro, you'll feel like a million bucks when you leave. They also have nice European skin and massage products for sale. As for the service, and people's complaints - they've always been very sweet to me. I've got to wonder if it isn't one's own rudeness that reaps a certain attitude; yeah, I'm talking to you, one- & two-star reviewers! -
Review from Paul B.
San Francisco, CA
12/25/2007
Cold rain drizzles down your face and hair, chilling your nose and cheeks. You look up into the hazy gray, mirthless sky. Cars pass by somewhere out of sight, their passengers dry, maybe sipping a warm coffee. A shiver rattles up your spine into your scalp.
But that's OK, because from the neck down, you're soaking in hot, deep water. -
Review from Erik E.
Richmond, CA
8/8/2009
We've been family customers here for decades and have had few complaints beyond the endless mistrust and droning reminder of policies. You're not being charmed and you're certainly never going to be served at Albany Sauna, easiest way to describe the service is "gruff". We always try and be extra polite and friendly to avoid bad or irritating service.
There are plenty of reviews now about the place so I'll keep this one short and to the point; we went for an hour tub for two today, quiet, needing to soak and decompress. After our first quick soak we noticed foreign matter on our limbs and body hair from the tub, AFTER showering and then soaking and then sitting out about 15 minutes. It was all over both of us, our legs, arms, back. Either from the towels or the tub or the bench - all we can be certain of - it didn't enter with us!
The material was sticky, hard to get out and after three rounds of showering and scrubbing we inspected ourselves and were tolerably clean. On comment to the staff after aborting our tub, what would you expect?
"Nothing there, the tubs and rooms are clean, water's clean." I was told. Singularly disgusting experience after many years without issue. Both of us were clearly imagining the situation. So am I so upset with the obvious risk of a shared tub, or the really idiotic and stupid comment by the employee? Both.
On a side note; the products are good, the sauna's are fantastic and we've never had a problem with the tubs in the past. Maybe it was just the crew closing on Friday and working on Saturday.
We've never had a problem before, but this kind of badly handled incident and we won't be back. I sure hope others don't experience this, freaking disgusting. -
Review from Bill B.
2/10/2009
After helping some friends move, and disappointingly discovering that the hot tub at my gym was broken, I came here for a much needed soak.
The atmosphere and layout were very nice; the best I've encountered, actually. The public areas are whitewashed walls with a very Greco-Roman feel to them. I really liked the separate changing room attached to each tub room, though it'd be tight for more than 2 people. It was also cool that they don't come harass you at the end of your hour--you're responsible for timing yourself and pushing the "Out of Tub" button in the changing room by the end of your time. The tub room itself was nice, and I especially liked the lighting - white holiday lights ring the opening to the sky, providing soft light from above and preventing the problem other rentals have that you often wind up staring right at a bulb most of the time. The wood decking and tub were smooth without being slick, and the hanging plants were a nice touch.
Albany Sauna is notably more expensive than some options, but they ARE a nicer atmosphere and parking IS much easier. I personally have an issue with "per person" pricing, since the business costs don't scale directly - having the tub in use matters, the number of people in it doesn't - so I'd be much happier to see $25/hr for the first person plus $5/hr per additional person or something similar.
TRIVIA: Hot tubs built using, or in the style of, old wine vats (such as those here at Albany) were among the very first hot tubs in the U.S. It wasn't until the early '80s that acrylic tubs took over the market. Wooden tubs cost about the same but required 8 times as long to install and were not as easily customizable. The atmosphere and nostalgia of wooden tubs is hard to argue with, though! -
Review from Andi T.
7/23/2007 2 photos
The was the most relaxing/fun or fun/relaxing time I've had in a while. The place was clean, folks were friendly, and there was parking a-plenty. You get an hour in the tub and a private dressing room to compose yourself for 10-15 minutes after that.
The tubs themselves are these huge wooden vats you climb into with a ladder -- think Lucy and Ethel stomping grapes. They are filled to the brim with warm water at just the right temperature and have strong, well-placed jets. Mmmmmm.
But wait... what does that button do? Ah, it releases a torrent of warm water from the sky... the pressure feels great on your shoulders and back, but it could easily knock you on your whatever if you're not paying attention (and it splashes the heck out of the other person in the tub!). Nothing like adding a bit of water park to your spa. We couldn't stop laughing, but that thing was great.Listed in: Salud!
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Review from Sussu L.
Emeryville, CA
11/30/2008
I am Finnish, and I'm here to tell you this is the best sauna you will find in California, maybe the United States. None of that "dry sauna" toaster oven nonsense. (There is no such thing as dry sauna. That's like saying "dry espresso", it doesn't make any sense.)
Albany Sauna's bathing rooms are non-traditional but they were designed by people who knew what they were doing, and they provide optimal steam and temperature. You can cool off in the adjacent shower or use the overhead waterfall shower. Unlike some other establishments, Albany Sauna will allow you to bring a birch bouquet to enjoy the full health benefits of sauna.
They also have some really first class massage therapists. -
Review from Rachel H.
El Cerrito, CA
12/2/2008
This place is delightfully inexpensive compared to similar businesses. i don't remember exactly how much it was, but I remember being prepared to pay a lot more. I went with my then-boyfriend-now-husband on a whim. We were driving by and he mentioned having been there before and it being fun and I said "Let's go now!"
We had our own private cedar hot tub, which was out in the sunshine. There are choice of jets that can be on or off, and a clock so you can make sure you aren't going over your time. It was very romantic, fun, and just something different to do on a summer afternoon.
Ok, here are the rates for hot tubs:
Rates for tubs(per person)
30 minutes......................................$14
45 minutes......................................$18
60 minutes......................................$22
Also, the Yelp listing says you need an appointment, but you don't for the hot tubs. We just walked in and got a hot tub immediately.Listed in: El Cerrito and Surrounding…, Not for First Dates
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Review from Anne K.
3/10/2009
At the recommendation of Toni M who read about my experience at Piedmont Springs, I recently pampered myself at Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs. Close, with easy street parking, and a low key atmosphere, I enjoyed a good soak. Their private wine cask hot tubs give the place a great feel but most importantly the deep tubs can nicely hold up to four people or one person who really just wants to stretch out.
The tubs also have jets and a waterfall that will pummel your shoulders and neck while standing in the middle of the tub (although as the water comes from the tub, if used for a long time, you have to be careful not to splash the water out). I enjoyed this immensely as it was a treat to my now 30-year old back! Off to the side of the tub, there was a turtle spouting cold water which was a nice way to cool off. That and just dangling my feet off the redwood deck for a few minutes before re-dipping as well as sipping a cold bottle of water kept me from over-heating for the hour+ soak (as on a slow evening, I arrived a few minutes early for my appointment and was immediately ushered in but still given the same end time).
The staff members were friendly in explaining everything at arrival. The suite with the tub is really nice with a private shower and changing area that has a door to keep clothes, purses, etc dry from splashing from the waterfall or tub. It was also nice to have a clock to watch and be accountable for my own time rather than to have a ten-minute knock to interrupt the mood. My only complaint is that when you make a reservation, they require a full non-refundable pre-payment. I can understand the need for reliable reservations and a quick check-in, but it made me a bit nervous. However, they do take drop-ins if they have space. But unfortunately, I was turned away when I spontaneously dropped by this evening for a second visit as they were closing early on a Monday evening.Listed in: Favorite Reviews
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Review from Kimi m.
El Cerrito, CA
11/3/2007
It was our first time experiencing this place, and my husband and I were very pleased. We'll definitely be back.
We got a 60 min. massage with a complimentary 30 minutes in the wet sauna room beforehand. The sauna was private, spacious, and nice and steamy. I can speak for myself that my massage was just right. My massage therapist was sensitive to any requests I made and did a very relaxing, therapeutic, and thorough job. Judging from my husband's serene smile and overall happy vibes, I would say he was pleased with his massage, too.
Now, we have to experience the private outdoor redwood hot tubs we've been hearing much about...I like the idea of soaking at night and being able to watch the stars.
This place looks to have been around for years (since the '30s it says on the website) and so there seem to be many regulars. It's not the fanciest of places but it is nice and homey and perfect for relaxation.
Also, there are many restaurants around the corner you can head to afterwards if you're hungry.
Highly recommended!Listed in: Solano Ave., Spas and Salons
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Review from Carla R.
Portland, OR
12/29/2008
The first time I came here a couple of months ago, I would have given it four stars. Based on our recent visit, I have to downgrade it to two.
The cedar tub was decent, clean and relaxing and I love how the water came up to my neck when I sat down in it.
The changing/shower area however was less to be desired. When we came into our rooms, I noticed the floor was very wet and slippery (not just a little damp). There were two USED towels still on the hooks and I immediately felt grossed out. In the shower area, there were still hair clips and empty shampoo bottles from the previous guests. I didnt notice this until after we were done with the tub.
I dont expect them to clean everything top to bottom with bleach after each guest, but I would expect better than that.
Kind of makes me wonder what else they are not doing. -
Review from Joe P.
El Cerrito, CA
10/10/2008
This place is pretty shitty. My main complaint is the management and the turnover, which leads me to believe they don't treat their employees well. The hot tubs are clean and nice, however.
I've received massages her about 15 times and i was unable to find someone who is good that I can stick with b/c they are usually gone the next time I call. I've also had some very mediocre therapists. Moreover, they often cheat you a little on the time. Frequently, when I pay for an 1 1/2 massage and hot tub, the massage therapist will come get me ten minutes after my scheduled massage time, but will not go ten minutes past the scheduled end time. In other words, they often short change me on the massage end.
The people working the front counter are joyless and ofter going there repeatedly I had to cancel one appointment and they still charged me, despite my protest. Enough for me. -
Review from Caroline C.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2005
Very pricey (they have a website so check there for current rates, but we paid $22/person for 1 hour of back-and-forth hot tub & sauna on a weekday afternoon), but very large accomodations, well-kept, and more medical than spa which is actually kind of nice. It's sort of self service, low-key without much fuss.
Staff was very friendly when I went back alone for a 1/2 hour hot tub and 1/2 hour sauna. They provided lots of towels (of all sizes) and a dark sheet for me to lounge around in between tub & sauna and carried the basket with all my things in it to the other room. It wasn't busy so they put me in the big sauna by myself which was fantastic.
Being naked by yourself at a spa is totally underrated. -
Review from Stephanie W.
Oakland, CA
11/11/2009
Not having a bathtub sucks. Especially when you're cleansing and are supposed to heat things up to help remove the toxins.
Enter the nearest source of hot tub relief - Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs.
I have to admit that these types of places scare me. I'm really not into the idea of lounging and bathing in water that (presumably) others have done the same (or more) in. Ick.
But alas, a girls gotta do, what a girls gotta do!
The beau and I enjoyed the Japanese style deep soaking tubs, but the water was way too chlorinated. The overhead water-fall thing was cool. Relaxing in water and looking up at the stars is really what earned this place 3-stars.
Everything else was mediocre at best. The staff was fairly blasé, but nice at least.
For the price, I can't complain, but I definitely wouldn't be a regular here. -
Review from Amanda P.
Oakland, CA
6/3/2007
I love the redwood tubs that open to the sky at Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs. I've gone there so much over the last six years, that I have a favorite room with a favorite fern in it (room 9/10!). I love the temperature, which hovers around 104 degrees, which is perfect for me for a one-hour soak.
It's easy to park at Albany Hot tubs, and there is no annoying salon vibe to contend with. The workers there are very down-to-earth, and it's almost always possible to get a reservation when you want one.
I've taken away one star for the ants that sometimes crawl up into the tubs and bite my ass when I'm taking a break from the water, as well as for the price, which feels steep at $21 per person for an hour. Despite these issues, Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs holds a dear place in my heart and a speed dial number on my cell phone. -
Review from Julia L.
Oakland, CA
12/27/2008
Perfect place to come soak after a long week at work, strenuous exercise, or just because.
We decided to treat ourselves to an hour-long hot tub session for two right after sundown (as part of our holiday "staycation"), and it was well worth the $22 each. Deep, hot, private redwood tubs with their own dressing rooms attached and an open view of the sky...what more could you ask for? The staff member who showed us to our tub was friendly and efficient in explaining things to us first-timers. We arrived 10 minutes late, and he did a fantastic job in being completely thorough but not wasting another precious minute of tub time.
I found that I couldn't quite sit down in the tub without immersing my head underwater (I'm barely 5'1"), but it didn't matter in the end because the deep water kept me buoyant. The water was extremely hot, which felt heavenly for the first five minutes. After that, it felt good to go back and forth between being in the water and cooling off on the wooden platforms flanking the sides...we'll probably only book half an hour the next time around, and it will be plenty. Our tub also had a cute pair of turtles perched on its edge, spouting a stream of cold water that was perfect to splash overheated body parts with. We played around with the overhead downspout of hot water, but in the end found it a little too splashy and hard to manage. It did feel good pummeling the shoulders though.
I tend to be a stickler for cleanliness, and didn't find anything frightening to report about Albany Sauna. Like another reviewer recommends, bringing your own water bottle and flip flops is a good idea...the latter of which are useful walking to and from the tub and for standing under the private shower included in the hot tub room.
A nice place to bring your honey for a mini romantic getaway. You'll leave in a rosy-cheeked state of euphoria, ready to hit the bed (for sleep). -
Review from Madam L.
Port Costa, CA
8/12/2010 1 photo
I've been comming here since I was a little girl. My mom used to take me to the saunas regularly, and I thank her for that. Now that I am grown I'm still going.
I inroduced my partner to the Tubs. He absolutly loves them. In the past he thought that public tubs were something to fear, but with a wink and a smile I got him to go with me, and he's been hooked ever since. We go to the tubs about every four months or so. It's the relaxing enviornment, hot soothing water, and misty cool air of Albany that makes this a special destination for us.
The outdoor tubs are inspiring. I can belive I'm anywhere when I'm in there. Because of the quite neighborhood, and the tall walls and open cieling, you can imagine you're anywhere. A cabin in the foothills maybe.
Every public place involving water can be scketchy. These guys do care about cleanlyness. I've been coming here for 20 years. Yes there can be items left behind from time to time, and some guests are smellier than others, but overall this place is very well maintained, with lots of pride. The towels are very clean, and the rooms are sanitized often. -
Review from Alena R.
Emeryville, CA
8/2/2008
BAD BAD BAD!!
We've been here several times. The tubs were nice a few times but, the service is just AWFUL...every time!
We keep thinking it'd be nice to give it another try... and lo and behold, we've just given up!
TIM the manager was such an asshole!!! With a capitol 'A'!
We called to make an appointment for massages but, absolutely had to cancel. We said we'd keep it paid if we could move to the next day or just later that evening.
I understand they have policies but, our situation was pretty drastic. (Obviously TIM doesn't have kids!)
We explained it was our anniversary and our babysitter fell through.
She was in an accident.
We called at 4pm to make an appt, and tried to cancel at 5pm.
He reprimanded us over the phone and wouldn't give his last name.
Then he YELLED at me!! Then hung up!!!
AND to add insult to injury he ran our credit card thru just to prove to us we couldn't cancel!!!! What a DICK!
I mean, if you're going to run a relaxation business, being an a-hole isn't what I'd call 'the calling card for relaxing times'.
We are NEVER going here again.
Things have changed since TIM came to town...
Piedmont Springs is awesome, Berkeley Sauna, too.
Go somewhere else if you actually want to relax.
Update:
I found these reviews-
http://www.insiderpage...
Update 2:
We luckily found a sitter (a neighbor) and had our scheduled massages.
(I mean, what?, let $140 go down the drain??)
Anyway, my masseuse was fantastic and i'd steal her if I could!
In fact, I might even try.
Other than that, my thoughts remain the same.
Lucky for them, she wins them a star. -
Review from Trisha F.
San Leandro, CA
7/18/2010
Duuuuuuuuuuuuude! This is the kind of place I've been LOOKING FOR! One of my first experiences at a "public" hot tub place (i.e. not at a hotel or someone's house) was at the Finnish style hot tubs up in Arcata, CA. So ever since moving back to the Bay Area after college, my husband and I have been looking for a similar experience.
OMG! Love it. I love that they were outdoor with high fences, in a very quiet neighborhood, under the stars (as many stars as you can see from around here, anyway). The staff was incredibly professional, the front lobby was clean, open, bright, and lovely. The tubs were great with a spout of cold water and an overhead spigot that dumps more water over your head.
They're not at all sleazy like the other places that have the suggestive "changing bench" with sheet that's suspiciously way bigger than a bench and big enough to get busy on. There's plants, and it's incredibly relaxing. I'll definitely be back.
I wish it was a bit cheaper, and that I didn't have to give my credit card information over the phone to reserve the tub on a Friday night. But we'll definitely be going there pretty much exclusively when we want to get our relaxation on! -
Review from Suzanne A.
Berkeley, CA
11/10/2008
So in the late 90s, I had this strange year-long monogamous non-relationship with a guy who lived 90 minutes away. Sounds healthy, right? Anyhow, he was actually a pretty neat guy, although we certainly were not destined for greatness together. Aside from some fun sex and some mixed tapes, his greatest gift to me was this place. He took me here in that interesting year, and even at the time I knew that my love affair with Albany Sauna and Hot Tub would last longer than my not-really-love affair with him.
Something about this place makes me feel instantly comfortable - I think because it feels and looks like something from the late 70s and early 80s of my childhood. One of my mom's boyfriends in those years was a graphic designer (oh, to remember the days of Spray Mount and Exact-O blades), and the logo of Albany Sauna reminds me of that time, as do the ferns and wooden hot tubs.
Top that off with affordability, open air hot tubs, and a traditional wood-fired Finnish sauna built in the 1930s, and this place is dripping with my kind of charm. If you're into fancy day spas, this place is not for you. But it's so cute, and the sauna is great, and if you go when it's raining, you can sit in the hot tub as rain falls on you from above.
I've yet to get a massage here, but that may change soon. This place is a gem, but don't go expecting to be coddled and pampered. Go expecting an amazing sauna and a piece of East Bay history, and you'll have a wonderful time. -
Review from Jonathan S.
Richmond, CA
11/1/2010
Great place for bringing a friend or two, feeling the warmth of a good hot tub, and in general relaxing.
The location is pretty nice, I feel good about leaving my car there. The hot tubs are big enough for four good sized people, and the location is very nice in a lot of ways. They'll give you more than one towel if you ask and the time just goes by...
Good place to go, I try to drag my friends there whenever I can. -
Review from matthew c.
Berkeley, CA
9/29/2008
Just to be clear at the outset, I went for a massage and did not use the tubs or the sauna, so my review does not encompass that.
Went with a friend last Friday with a mid-afternoon desire for a massage. Fortunately, they were able to set us up with appointments for about an hour after we called. The man on the phone was polite and told us the specialties of the different massage therapists available. I was looking for a relaxing massage and he set up an appointment with a nice woman named Justin. My friend was set up with a woman named Devon.
We arrived a little early and they offered us free time in the sauna which we declined. The desk staff was friendly and the place seemed clean...always a plus. Eventually I was taken to a decent sized room, it too was clean and I has happy about that. Justin told me what my options were (hot stones, back walking, etc) but I opted for a standard Swedish. She did an excellent job and I highly recommend her to anybody making an appointment. I will be back.
On a side note, I was unfamiliar to the massage procedure in this country and as a result, I was caught with too little cash to leave a proper tip. I will be back and will request her and plan to rectify this. If you're reading Justin, sorry. -
Review from rekz k.
El Cerrito, CA
7/9/2008
Private, outdoor hot tubs. I love going here with my girl.
It's such a great setting.
I love Albany & Solano, & this is a major perk.
While I have been to better hot tubs and saunas around the USA, (particularly WaterCourse Way in San Mateo) this is walking distance from my house, very clean, and the place is ... calm.
If you're having a hard day, skip the beers & joints and just chill in a tub. When you're done, that stress will be gone!
I had one massage there & thought it was overpriced & not the best, but I had another at a different time & it was excellent (albeit same price), but she moved away, so I can't recommend any therapist.
But this place is SPECIAL.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Candice D.
Alameda, CA
7/26/2011
My friend and I have been here quite a few times and we have always had a wonderful time, leaving fresh and renewed. We have only done the back and forth, which we love. Wish you could do it for more than an hour. Hope to be back soon.
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Review from Mario L.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/2/2011
This place definitely isn't bad. Nice big tubs and in a relaxing environment. The staff was helpful too. Only one problem. In order to maximize the time that the tub is being used there are two dressing rooms. The idea here is that while one person is drying off and getting dressed the next people can start using the tub. I see two problems with this (1) lack of cleaning between uses and (2) there is a real risk of being walked in on since you can't lock the door from the other dressing room. I'm of the opinion that there are far worse things than some random person seeing me naked...but if this is a big deal for you, you might want to go some place else.
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Review from Rachel N.
Alameda, CA
6/8/2009
This place as totally awesome. I was a big fan of the fact that the hot tubs were outdoors. Tall walls to keep it private, but no roof so that you can see the sky. I went during the late afternoon of summer, so the sun was still out. But I can't wait to go in the winter, when the stars are out and it's cold enough to enjoy a good hot soak.
My favorite part was a little spout that ran ice cold water. It felt really nice to sit under the spout and feel the cold water running down your shoulders while you felt the hot water wash over your, very relaxing.
Bonuses are:
1. There's a clock in the room with you, so you can keep an eye on the time, so you don't have to have someone come knocking and interrupt the serenity.
2. They give you a fifteen minutes after you time to rinse and cool down.
3. The prices are very reasonable. For 1/2 is only $14.
Definitely a place I would go back too some time soon and maybe make it a regular gig. -
Review from Jennifer G.
Berkeley, CA
3/15/2007
This place can be a hit or miss, depending on the masseuse you have. the sauna's are really, really cool : finnish, old style, and very relaxing. I've always wanted to rest and relax in their hot tubs.
The massage rooms are not sumptuously decorated, but spartan clean and spartanly decorated. When your eyes are closed, who really cares about what the room looks like anyway? Also, the price is really good (65 for a 60 min massage AND you get a half our sauna for free before hand). And it's always easy to get a same-day reservation.
Ask the people with whom you make your reservation and they'll tell you which masseuses are the best. -
Review from Tempe M.
Richmond, CA
9/16/2007
Albany Sauna is completely rejuvenating. It's clean, it's quiet, it's private and it's worth it. It is a bit pricey, but the relaxation you get is priceless.
They have quite a few options, hot tub, sauna, hot tub and sauna for 30 minutes each or back and forth for an hour. We did the last option and it was great.
The tub is big and there's a tube that comes out of the wall to dump water on your shoulders if you like it. The sauna is great. It's not your old school cedar and smoke type, it's tiled and the seats are almost like bleachers, which is great when you need a break from the heat. It's a dry sauna and there's the option to spray yourself with cold water when you're in there. Both the sauna and hot tub have showers in the same room and the whole place is pretty zen. I'm almost falling asleep just thinking about it... -
Review from Shobi L.
El Cerrito, CA
5/7/2011
Loved this place!! I had a bit of a reservation coming in after seeing the negative reviews on there, but my own experience dispelled any doubt. For the price, i think they totally met my expectations. If they were a hotel, i'd say they're about a 3.5-star kind of establishment: Not run down and bug-infested, but no complimentary breakfast buffet either. The sleaze factor is kind of hard to gauge, after all it did cross my mind that it *could* make a good and relatively affordable hook-up spot, and i'm sure i'm not the first to think that.
The staff is friendly. The tubs are rustic wooden ones perched on (or embedded in, rather) wooden platforms. I'm not sure whether to call them outdoors or indoors--you go in through a hallway inside the building and past a cozy personal changing room, and on the other end of the changing room is the door to the tub area, which itself is enclosed by four tall walls and a ceiling with a BIG round hole in it (yes, i know they're called skylights). So it's private (and you definitely won't hear anything from the next room over with all the jet going on, thankfully) but it's got an open ceiling. This giant hole provides plenty of ventilation, and when you get too warm you can go cool down at a little frog fountain spewing cold water. The overhead jet was WAY too strong and i didn't wanna risk slipping a disk (that would defeat the purpose of R&R) or get splashed mercilessly across the face, so i shut it down immediately. At the end of my hour, the attendant knocked to let me know that i have about 10 minutes to towel off and get changed. Nothing rude, just straight business-like, i think.
A note on making reservations: I decided to try my luck and walk in at around 8 PM on a Wednesday instead of making a reservation, and guess what--no opening until 9. The staff attendant said this was typical and that they tend to be busy even on week nights. If you do decide to book ahead of time though, first time guests are required to pay in advance, and make sure you check what their cancellation policy is (i thought i read somewhere here that they're pretty bad about not charging even after cancellation). -
Review from Maresa D.
Berkeley, CA
2/24/2008
i have been going to Albany sauna for a long time and I am delighted it has only changed for the better.
This place is a delight. I feel like I took a vacation when I leave. -
Review from Marla M.
Oakland, CA
3/24/2011
I love this place! The prices are perfect. My massage was great and the hot tub was a dream. I felt amazing when I left. There are spas closer to where I live but this place is worth the extra drive time.
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Review from I M.
Berkeley, CA
4/1/2011
This review is for hot tubs. They're nothing special, but they get the job done. It's not the cleanest place, but not really dirty either. There's sort of a cheap motel vibe about it. It was nice to be able to soak for a little while, but it seems overpriced for what you get.
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Review from Lauren A.
Oakland, CA
1/19/2011
My hubby and I went here when I saw the Albany feature in a Yelp email. After reading the reviews, which seem to be extreme opposites, I wasn't expecting much. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than hopelessly let down. But, obviously we had a GREAT time! We just did 45 min in a hot tub, $36 and you can't beat it! It was so relaxing, you get your own private room, and we thought for the price the atmosphere was great. We'll be going back again and again!
